My Travel Diaries of
Tanzania
Summary
Currency: Tanzania Shilling
Capital: Daressalam/Dodoma
Drink like a local: Beer, brandy (which they call whiskey), banana beer
Special facts:
- “Hakuna matata” – “Don’t worry”, that’s what everyone here actually says and they mean it. Tanzanians are very friendly and very relaxed.
- It is illegal to import plastic bags and you will be punished if the police see you with one. This means there is significantly less rubbish, but you can still see some here and there.
- First, Germany colonized Tanzania in the 19th century, then the country fell to Great Britain in 1919 and became independent between 1961 and 1963.
- Tanzania is possibly the only country with a compound name. The “Tan” comes from Tanganyika (which means “sail in the wild” in Swahili) and the “Zan” from Zanzibar (from Arabic and means “black coast”).
- The people of Tanzania are incredibly proud of their paradise island of Zanzibar and everyone has been there or dreams of visiting Zanzibar one day.
Language
There are far more than 100 languages in this country. Around 10% speak Swahili as their mother tongue, but around 90% speak it as a second language. When Tanzania was united, all the tribes were brought together. English and Swahili are fine in the country. It only becomes difficult when you come into contact with the Maasai, but you can always find a translator. Although Tanzania was a German colony more than a hundred years ago, German is not spoken anywhere.
- Hello – jambo, mambo
- Hello (back)- poa
- How are you? – habari
- I’m fine – misuri
- Welcome – karibu
- Thanks- asante
- Cheers- maí shamarif
- Friend – rafiki
- Good night – usiku mwema
- Don’t worry – hakuna matata
- Slow slow – pole pole
- Chicken and rice – kuku wali
- Arsehole – kumbavu
- Go away – kwenda oko
Food
The vegetables and fruits in the markets in Tanzania are bursting with splendor. I am surprised at how diverse and spicy East African cuisine is. With influences from the Arab and Indian regions, the food here has developed its own flavor. Coffee and banana beer are local drinks that should not be missed.
My lesson:
“Hakuna matata” – “no worries” and “pole pole” – “slowly slowly” are the sympathetic epitome of the Tanzanians
Travel Diaries
Tanzania is the epitome of the clichés of Africa: the vast Serengeti full of animals, Mount Kilimanjaro with its snow-capped peak in the background and lodges with terraces overlooking the sunset over the savannah. But, as always, I want to know more about a country than its clichés.
Arusha is the gateway to the world of clichéd Africa that all visitors strive for. But what does the world look like outside of the presentable national parks and how do people live here? I find out by staying with a Maasai on Couchsurfing.
